Tapscott era begins

The Wizards are set to begin the Ed Tapscott era tonight against the Golden State Warriors.

SEE RELATED:

Tapscott admitted to feeling some nerves as he drove to the arena today, and expects the jitters to continue for a bit longer before settling down when adrenaline kicks in at game-time.

Expect to see a rotation of eight or nine guys. Tapscott wants to narrow the rotation down just a bit so players will have a better understanding of their roles and what is expected of them. Dee Brown, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and JaVale McGee will remain the starters, however. Antonio Daniels will be inactive as he continues to work through his knee issues.

On his goals for tonight and what he wants to see:

“I’ve asked them for a more effort, more intensity, a more physical presence,” Tapscott said. “I want some charges taken and I want fouls at the rim. I don’t want drives to the rim and the ball going in every time. Sometimes you have to send a guy to the foul line so the ball won’t go into the rim.

“I recognize that’s a much bigger chair I’m sitting in, and I’m going to respect that. And I’m going to respect that by having some self possession. Go out there with the idea that I have a team to work with, that I need to put in the best position so they can perform at their best. I want them to enjoy themselves when they play. I want them to play with a smile, with a swagger, and with confidence. And so, that’s my job to try to define that environment, so that’s my goal.”